Some Health Care Cheaper If You Don’t Use Insurance

Paying cash for health care can be less expensive than using your insurance, reports the Los Angeles Times. This is because of cash discounts meant for people who have no insurance. That total price can sometimes end up being so low that it’s less than what your insurer would have charged you.

That said, there are down sides. For example, the Times reports:

For those patients who have insurance, getting the lower price would typically mean withholding that information from the hospital or clinic. Experts warn that doing so, however, means any payments don’t apply to customers’ annual insurance limits for out-of-pocket spending.

The decision on whether to pay cash or apply the fee toward the deductible will depend on a variety of factors, including the amount of the deductible and whether the person expects to incur more medical bills that year.

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Leigh Ann Otte is a freelance writer who specializes in health and aging issues. She covers finding and paying for senior care for OurParents. If you have any questions about this post or need help finding senior-care options for a loved one, call 1-866-483-4896 to speak with a care advisor in your area.